Edna Mae Carpenter

Edna Mae Carpenter, beloved mother, grandmother, and community matriarch, peacefully transitioned from this life at the age of 93, surrounded by family and loved ones. She was born on August 20, 1931, in Kerens, Texas to Monroe Davis and Almeta Brown. The middle child of three children. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Clarence Edwards and James Skinner.

Edna shared a special bond with her grandmother, whose blindness led to Edna’s enrollment at the Institute for Deaf, Dumb and Blind for Colored Youth in Austin, Texas. There, she graduated in 1950, having gained invaluable life skills such as cooking, sewing, reading braille, and sign language. The institution later became known as the Texas School for the Deaf.

On August 17, 1950, Edna married the love of her life, David Harry Carpenter, and together they settled in San Antonio, Texas, where they lovingly built a family of six children. A devoted wife, Edna deeply mourned David’s passing in 1984. She was preceded in death by two children in infancy, Dennis Keith Carpenter and Andre Eve Carpenter; two adult children, David Kennard Carpenter and Dwayne Kurt Carpenter, Sr.; and a cherished grandson, Dwayne Kurt Carpenter, Jr.

Edna was known throughout the community as a “Mama Patrol,” serving as a crossing guard for the San Antonio Independent School District for five years. Her devotion to service extended beyond her work. She joined Second Baptist Church in 1974 and later embraced the Catholic faith, becoming a dedicated member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in 1998. At Holy Redeemer, she actively participated in the Sister-to-Sister Organization and joyfully served in the Nutrition Program that helped feed and care for the homeless and members of the East Side community.

Edna’s legacy is deeply rooted in faith, service, and above all, family. Her pride and joy were her children and grandchildren, whom she loved and supported unconditionally.

She leaves to cherish her memory two loving children, Alex Rene Carpenter and Duke Kevin Carpenter, both of San Antonio, Texas; two devoted daughters-in-law, Corean Carpenter of Houston, Texas, and Aretta Carpenter of San Antonio, Texas; twelve beloved grandchildren: Tonya Carpenter, Shanesha Jackson, Candace Ellerbe (Duane), Michael Johnson, Ja’Net Carpenter, April Carpenter, Walter Sanders III (Angela), Beverly Carpenter, Ivy Gooden (Kirk), Marlie Carpenter, Alexandria Saldana (Mario), and Laron Sanders; eighteen great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and a host of cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Her wisdom, strength, and kindness will be forever remembered and deeply missed. May her soul rest in eternal peace in her new home with our Lord and Savior.

A visitation for Edna will be held Saturday, July 26, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 1819 Nevada St, San Antonio, TX 78203. A rosary will be held from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM, 1819 Nevada St, San Antonio, TX 78203. The funeral will immediately follow from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM,. The committal service will follow from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Gates OF Heaven Memorial Garden, 16551 W Weichold Rd., Converse, TX 78109.